How's the shutter lag in Canon G9, G10 ?

How fast are these latest P&S can shoot now ?

Thanks !

How fast are these latest P&S can shoot now ?

Thanks !

For a P&S, they are pretty quick ... but for fast moving animals (like children and fish) it can be frustratingly slow.

The biggest component of the lag is definitely the auto-focus.

Here are some stats for the G9 & G10.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/page5.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong10/page6.asp

I tested my G9 in Egypt last week... and indeed, it was frustrating slow between shots.

Auto focus is usable.. when shooting moving animals like dolphins I set the auto focus to drive mode, about all shots were in focus.

The main problem is between shots, 3 seconds in RAW is just too much for anything moving faster than a Sea Cucumber of Nudi-branch is just too much.

Besides speed I found noise a problem, at ISO 200 noise is very visible in blue backgrounds.

But, it is still top of the line compacts...

The main problem is between shots, 3 seconds in RAW is just too much for anything moving faster than a Sea Cucumber of Nudi-branch is just too much.

3 seconds is the RAW + JPEG shot to shot timing ... I think it is a good bit bit faster than that when shooting RAW alone and seems at least as fast as my strobe recycle times.

I don't think I can recall a time when my strobes were ready but my camera wasn't.

Shot to Shot Flash off, JPEG Super Fine 2.3 Shot to Shot Flash off, RAW + JPEG 3.0

RAW is 10-17MiB, JPEG is 5-7MiB. Looking at the recylce time I think shooting only RAW without processing and writing the JPEG does not really make a difference. (maybe 0.2 sec)

Ok - let's agree that the total shot to shot time for RAW is 2.5-3.0 seconds.

Here's how that breaks down:

Shutter press

0.5-1.0 sec to achieve focus lock

Shutter actuation

2.0 seconds writing/processing (during this time the strobes are recycling)

Camera Ready/Strobes Ready

In general, the issue for me is the time to achieve focus lock and not the recycle time when shooting with strobes underwater.

In general, the issue for me is the time to achieve focus lock and not the recycle time when shooting with strobes underwater.

Thats right, with good 2700Mah GP batteries the flash is ready before the camera is. AFAIK even from full-power.

For a P&S, they are pretty quick ... but for fast moving animals (like children and fish) it can be frustratingly slow.

 

The biggest component of the lag is definitely the auto-focus.

 

Here are some stats for the G9 & G10.

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/page5.asp

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong10/page6.asp

I am obviously missing something!! All advice appreciated.

I wrote to backscatter:

" Hi, I have the G9 with the Canon housing, and am looking to upgrade to the G10 primarily because of the wide angle change from 35 to 28.

My concern and one not addressed on your website review of point and shoots relates to shutter lag.

Can you offer some advice in that regard?"

And received the following answer:

" The G10 has a faster response than the G9 does. That was one improvement Canon made on the new cameras."

I looked at the two links regarding the stats:

G9:

Isn't the G10 actually a bit - just slightly - slower than the G9?

Half to Full-press Lag (S1->S2) LCD live view

G9 = .12; G10 = .17

Am I missing something?

I am trying to find a reason other than the "new" wide angle to switch from the G9 to the G10; are there any?

Right now I have the G9 with the Canon housing; I am looking at the G10 with the following package:

Canon G10, Fisheye FIX G10, Fisheye FIX 15mm Wide Port, Sea & Sea YS-110

Thanks, Jay

3 seconds is the RAW + JPEG shot to shot timing ... I think it is a good bit bit faster than that when shooting RAW alone and seems at least as fast as my strobe recycle times.

 

I don't think I can recall a time when my strobes were ready but my camera wasn't.

Agreed. RAW and JPEG isn't dooable. RAW is...

And when I'm shooting something quick, like seals, I generally use 'AF Lock' and find shutter lag / focus lag no longer an issue